Reproduction/ Sex steriod axis Flashcards
what 2 gonadotrophic hormones are secreted by the pituitary gland
FSH and LH
what does FSH do in males
causes the testes to produce sperm
what does FSH do in females
causes the growth of ovarian follicles (oogenesis) and causes the ovary to secrete oestrogen
what does LH do in males
causes the testes to secrete testosterone
what does LH do in females
causes ovulation and progesterone production by the corpus luteum
how does testosterone affect levels of LH, FSH and GnRH
when high will reduce the levels of LH and FSH and GnRH by negative feedback HPG axis
what is the HPG axis
hypothalamus - anterior pituitary - LH and FSH - ovaries (oestrogen and progesterone) and testes (testosterone)
what hormone causes the release of FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary
gonadotrophin releasing hormone GnRH)
what type of hormone if GnRH and what makes and releases it
neuropeptide hormone
made and released by GnRH neurones within the hypothalamus
how is GnRH released in both males and females
in a pulsatile manner
what is the different between GnRH secretion in males and females
males- constant pulses
females- frequency of pulses varies depending on menstrual cycle (1-2 hours during early follicular phase, decreasing to 4 hours during luteal phase)
what do high frequency GnRH pulses stimulate
LH pulses
what do low frequency GnRH pulses allow
FSH release
how does oestrogen affect GnRH
high oestrogen (above 200) will increase GnRH pulsatility driving the release of LH
below 200 reduces frequency of GnRH pulses (FSH release)
why is modulation of LH pulse frequency needed
for pubertal maturation and reproductive function
what happens to GnRH in the onset of pubertal maturation
steady acceleration i GnRH pulsatility (peak at night- boys causes peak in testosterone in morning, erections)
what are the signs of delayed puberty
no period by age of 15
boys no sign of testicular development by age 14
how is GnRH pulsatility regulated
GnRH neurones activated by kisspeptin as dont have receptors for oestrogen and progesterone (the hormonal regulators)
what is the variable part of the menstrual cycle
follicular (proliferative phase) typically 14 days +/- 7 days
what is the follicular phase characterised by
follicular growth
what is the more constant phase of the menstrual cycle
luteal phase (secretory phase)